Foster and McCrea arrive from Exeter Chiefs and Connacht respectively and could make their debuts in the match against the London Scottish on Saturday.

Colchester-born Foster played six seasons for Gloucester, in both the Premiership and Heineken Cup, before debuting for the Chiefs in September 2009.

Playing 59 times for the Devon club, scoring 20 tries, Foster helped the Devon side win promotion from the Championship and been part of the transition to the top flight. Foster has joined Jersey on loan until the end of the current season.

Winger McCrea, 25, formerly played for his native province of Ulster before signing up to Connacht, He has been released early from his contract and has committed to Jersey until the end of the 2013/14 season.

Struggling to retain Championship status, director of rugby Ben Harvey said the new players would bring additional competence to Jersey's team, in particularly due to the absence of centres Dai Bishop and Tom Cooper.

"Mark Foster has won this league before with Exeter and has a great deal of experience in the Premiership and the top end of the Championship which will be invaluable at this stage of our campaign," Harvey said.

"Mark McCrea is at an earlier stage in his career, and he has the opportunity to get regular game-time over the next 14 months and become a key part of our back-line.

"Both these signings are quality players who I expect to make a significant impact in Jersey colours."